explain away

Translations
оправдываться
He tried to explain away his mistake by blaming it on the computer.
Он пытался оправдаться за свою ошибку, обвиняя в этом компьютер.
Definitions
To explain away means to provide a justification or rationalization for something, often in an attempt to dismiss or minimize its significance or impact.
Words
explain

verb
объяснять
away

adverb
отговорить